Response To No!: A Rape Documentary
This would just be my extended thought process concerning No!: A Rape Documentary.
Besides all of the issues of form and content found with No!, I thought that the concept of a rape documentary was crucial in breaking down the barriers placed by members of the same race and of the same gender. No! is just one woman's cinematic response to a long history of women's bodies being sexually violated and emotionally damaged.
Though I realize the importance of a documentary such as this, I am puzzled as to why the director did not call for more change within the film. The film as an informative film does extremely well, some people thought too well for being such a heavy topic for those whom may find no relevance with it, but I felt as though there was not much done to motivate the audience to change the way men view and treat women.
When the topic of Mike Tyson and Desiree Washington came about, it reminded me of a similar case right here at the University of Minnesota a few months ago. This article was printed months ago, so I apologize in advance for any wrong details. It was an article in the Minnesota Daily that claimed 3 black members of the football team had raped a black woman at a party, which was the exact topic of No! Though these men were not found guilty of penetrating this woman, rape kits found evidence of all three men's sperm on her body. Reading further into the article was a comment made by the coach--something along the lines of "no matter what the result, I will stand behind/support my players" but no where in the article was there a comment about support for the woman who was, if not raped, then sexually violated. The person who should have been receiving the most support was, sadly, receiving the least and it seemed as though no one was outraged by what had happened at this party.
About a year ago I was reading a book on rights of men and women and why they are the way they are, and it had an interesting concept: if men could get pregnant, abortion would be a sacrament. It went on to argue that if the ratio of men to women rape were higher in the male gender that rape consequences would be much more strict and carried out to the fullest extent. It's the sad idea that if men were to become the victims of sex crimes that the consequences would become a much larger reality than what they are today.
I suppose logic finds no answers, but ultimately would have to refer to Maria Portokalos from My Big, Fat, Greek Wedding as a model of thinking that, I think, the female race should be following:
"Let me tell you something, Toula. The man is the head, but the woman is the neck. And she can turn the head any way she wants"
Comments
I agree. I was going to post a similar blog about this documentary.
When I was watching I was just so surprised at the attitude the film took about really doing anything about the issue.
It definitely successfully brought it to the audience's attention, but what did it really propose as a solution? I felt as though it should have asked something of us and really promoted change in a better way.
At the same time I did feel even more compassion for the women because of the lack of 'seeking-revenge' they held. The women told their stories and in many ways probably didn't need to ask us to feel angry towards the rapists because that's what their stories made us do.
I guess for me it was just a piece that was missing. I wish they would have advocated more change because with a film like that, after the emotions are stirred up, we want to do something about it. Even if just in our own life, its nice to be able to create change and better the world a little.
Maybe in the next documentary about rape of all women, that is due to be made.
Posted by: Kelsey Marie | July 2, 2007 4:40 PM